Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-20
CASE OF CAPT. SEIFRun:E.
A Court Of Inquiry Oraer-d.

the secretary OF the Navy has ordered a court
OF inquiry, OF which Capt. VIM. f. Fiizhugh is
president, and Captains 4. q. Matthews and Fred
erick V. McNair, members and Paymaster r W
Allen, judge advocate, To meet on board
such United States vessel on the Asiatic
station, at Nagasakl, Japan, as may he
designated by the commander-in-chief OF the sta
ton for the purpose OF inquirng into all the facts
and circumstances connected with the fatal scc1-
dent TO some japanese natives resulting from the
explosion OF shell from the L. g. &. Omaha OF
which Capt. ThoS Selfridge was commander and
report whether the accident was due directly or
indirectly To negligence or carelessness the part
OF Capt Selfr1dge. Capt Fitzhugh goes 60 the
sthtion from the United states ana the OF her MEM
ueis ol the court have been ordered 10 the station
since the accident occurred.
SECRETARY WHITNEY SAYS
In relation 10 the matter There is no evidence 10
SHOW, even IL all the facts are as stated In the
communications transmitted by the Admiral that
there was any wilfu or Intentional dregard OF the
GUY OF reasonable precsution on the part
Oh the commanding officer OF the s.Omahan
There is every reason to believe that Capt. self
ridge supposed himself 20 have taken the neces-
practice undertaken and executed al the time was
undertaken ana was being executed In a manner
furnishing every security against peril
"While, Therefore I am led 10 the concl 1s,on
tnat there was no wilful or Intentional disregard
OF duty apparent, the circumstances seem TO lead
TO the conclusion that there was negligence and
disregard OF reasonable precaution In the manner
Ina which the target practice was performed
There seems 10 be a grave reason for surprising
tnat TINS target practice was conducted at place
where the shells, I'm the very course OF their hight
Imperfect village upon the island This is not
GEAR and Is one OF the things that should be set
tied 10y the court III this circumstance should he
established, think no exIlanation would be ade-
quate as against charge OF negligence In the
selection OF the position OF the vessel nd the place
for the practice and the absence OF proper recon-
noiSsance OF the ground.
In the third place unexploded shells were GER
practice had been completed. The use OF danger
Gus weapons Is accompanied by very grave re-
sponsleiity and duty on the part OF persons by
whom they are employed.
steps were taken by capt Selfridge in this case,
which ne considered Sufficient, to assure himself
that the shells had all been exploded. Whether
they were sufficient under the circumstances l. a
matter which Will be referred also To the court OF
inquiry about 10 be ordered. Under all the cir.
cuinstances therefore, have decided TO have the
facts determined by court of officers before act
ing further upon the case
There is NO reason 70 doubt That Captain Sell
fridge supposed himself 10 have done everything
necessary as precaution against imp riling 9TH
ers, and II IL should be found, nevertheless by 3
Judgment formed subsequently, that he was negli-
gent, consider IL an Injustice TO him 20 tmpute
any wilful disregard OF the law or his duty"
District sovcrnn,cnt Affair.".
BUILDING PERMITS
have been issued by Inspector Entwsle as follows:
Landvoight kimmell, TO erect four brick dwel-
lings, numbered "O1 TO 2U7 I'd street northwest:
$4,000 B.Scannell TO erect brick dwelling NUN.
Dered liza street northwest; 5000 A. l.
Philips, 10 erect brick stable I'm rear 21lgG
street northwest; 81 200. Glenn Brown Co erect
four brick dwellings, numbered 9l1 TO 911 Georgia
avenue southeast; Si,2o0
BILL TO REMOVE TITIB.-To-day a bill was filed
by Mr.. A. b. Duvall for f. w. Clemens trustee for
A. A. Clemons against Tie Peoples Saving Bank
Warren Deem, and others, to remove title on lots
In square S5s. II is claimed that one VIM Looney.
VINO died In october, 1866, seized OF the property
appears by the records TO have executed a deed
september III, 1874, OF this property To secure the
payment OF certain notes. and he alleges that the
paper Is false and fictitious, and it being a cloud
10 10Y I'm Ia.ra AZ